DISARMONIA MUNDI – Fragments Of D-Generation

As far as I’m concerned, this is a new band to the Melodic Death Metal scene, and, signed as they are on the quality-conscious Scarlet label, and having Bjorn “Speed” Strid (of Soilwork fame) on vocals, I had some definite expectations for this album … and kaboom! The album kicks of with “Common State of Inner Violence,” which blew me away completely. This is a completely kick-ass tune (in fact, it kicks so much ass that my lower regions are still in an Uncommon State of Inner Violence after listening to it), and a thought suddenly struck my mind: was In Flames now not going to make Swedo-Metal album of the year? Did I see a new favorite band in the making?

Well, I’m sorry to say that although this CD never becomes truly boring, the band soon lurks down into the “not-bad-but-very-close-to-another-In-Flames or Dark-Tranquility rip-off groove that so many new bands in this genre suffer from as a rule of thumb. I’m sure the band is pretty fed up with reading such comments, but it is in fact the plain truth — and nothing more or less. I’ve nothing against honoring ones influences, but it would be nice if a new band at least could bring something new to the table with them. Also, I could forgive the lack of originality if the songs were all very good, but although “Swallow the Flames,” “Shattered Lives and Broken Dreams,” and especially “Red Clouds” (another nice chorus there) are good songs, very little of this material remains stuck in your head after turning the stereo off.

The playing is good, though, and the band is tight — the lead breaks are often the highlights of the songs. Additionally, there’s more technique displayed on this CD than you might hear emanating from many other bands in this genre, and it does work very well. Also, the production is good, and I’ve no doubt that these guys one day will come up with a killer album. Until then, I’ll try to deal with my unruly stomach (oooooh, the Inner Violence) and listen to In Flames instead!